Trustees and Patrons
Trustees
Here are our board members, the people who advise and guide the charity on its management and its direction. Our trustees work together to direct Off the Fence through its long-term and short-term objectives, ensuring we stay on track and accountable to everyone involved in what we do. The Board of Trustees, sometimes known as the Board of Directors, all give their time voluntarily and receive no remuneration for their services.
David Mellard
David recently joined the Trustee's Board and is currently Acting Chair of OTF. David has worked in HR management for 30 years, the last ten as founder and Director of Bedrock HR Ltd. Leisure time is spent sailing, walking, supporting school sport and watching Arsenal win at football with his teenage son. Based in Petersfield, David is an active member of St Mary Magdalen C of E.
Matt Weir
Matt Currently works as a Maths teacher, having spent 25 years in the finance sector. He loves golf and Brighton & Hove Albion and attends Bishop Hannington Memorial Church.
Simon Ritchie
Jean Cooke
Jean has been a Trustee of Off The Fence for over five years, since retiring from a career in sports management. She is married, with two sons, and a member of The Point Church, Burgess Hill, where she met Paul and Wendy and first heard about Off The Fence and wanted to get involved.
Max Mkandwire
Max moved here from Zimbabwe some years ago and has built a family and a business in Hove. He is a qualified electrician and travels across Sussex working as a contractor. He has a wife and three sons and is a passionate supporter of the charity.
Daniela Bayman
Janet Cheng Shelley
Patrons
Our patrons are much valued ambassadors with long experience in local government, national politics, charity work, sport and the entertainment world. They support us with publicity, advocacy and by association.
Dr Rodney Queen
Rodney is a long time patron and supporter. Based in Macon, Georgia USA he is Senior Pastor of Central Fellowship Baptist Church.
Michael & Maureen Chowen
Michael is Deputy Lieutenant of East Sussex and Maureen is High Sheriff of East Sussex. They are business leaders and philanthropists. They provide access to the business community and the recognition of the Queen’s representative. He was awarded a CBE in 2015 for services to charity.
Claire Martin OBE
Hove-based Claire is one of the best female jazz vocalists in the world. Claire provides a vital link into the entertainment industry.
Bruno Saltor
Ex-player and club captain at BHAFC and now a member of the coaching staff. Bruno has a heart for the work of OTF and is able to help us access support and funding from a variety of sources.
Peter Kyle MP
Peter has been the MP for Hove and Portslade since 2015. Before this he overcame difficulties with severe dyslexia to return to school aged 25; going on to complete a PhD. He has also worked as an Aid worker and for ACEVO, the umbrella body for the voluntary sector.
Cllr Dee Simson
As a Councillor with a responsibility for helping the most vulnerable and as Mayor of the City 2018-19, I have always admired, supported and promoted the amazing innovative work and education carried out by Off the Fence and Gateway Women’s Centre. I am proud to be a Patron.
Graham and Rachel Potter
Graham and Rachel Potter have signed up as patrons
after Rachel organised a charity Wellness Event in Hove for 100 people. Graham holds an Under 21 England cap, and graduated in 2005 with a degree in Social Sciences.
He has always been an advocate of clubs and players taking a frontline role in the communities they serve.
Please donate to our work today.
Please help us continue to deliver vital services to those most in need in Brighton & Hove.